Ultimate East Africa: Mountains & the Masai Mara
24 days
From $ 5299
Duration24 days
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  • Etepia
  • Ultimate East Africa: Mountains & the Masai Mara

Beginning in Nairobi, with its convenient international airport, this 24-day African adventure offers up the prizes of Kenya and Uganda before heading east towards the beaches of Zanzibar. Enjoy wildlife safari drives across the Masai Mara and Serengeti, and trek through remote forests for an incredible encounter with mountain gorillas in their own habitat. Travel aboard the Lando (overland adventure vehicle) is well-paced and wilderness camping along the way will bring you closer to the region’s wildlife. Our certified CEO (Chief Experience Officer) will lead the way and share with you the hidden gems that will have your camera’s shutter working overtime. This trip will truly leave an impression on you for the rest of your life!

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 24 days
    Service level: Camping
  • Physical Grading: Demanding
  • Ages: 18+
Ultimate East Africa - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Nairobi
Arrive at any time. Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to make sure you have the ones you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.
Day 2: Nairobi/Masai Mara
Travel from Nairobi, through the Great Rift Valley on to Kenya's premier wildlife reserve.

In the afternoon, arrive in the area and get settled at the safari camp, our base for our time here.

Head out for a late afternoon wildlife safari drive with excellent chances of seeing the Big Five — lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino. The varied wildlife and natural environment come together to provide a spectacular safari experience.
Journey through the Great Rift Valley on the way to one of the most famous national parks in Africa. Enjoy a late afternoon wildlife safari drive in the hopes of spotting the "big five".
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Masai Mara
Enjoy an early morning wildlife safari drive. The day continues with more wildlife viewing, as you cross the plains and rivers of the Masai Mara National Reserve. Please note: if you have pre-booked the Masai Mara Balloon Safari, today's likely the day for this activity! Your CEO will give you final confirmation when it will take place, as it is subject to change. You will miss the included morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have a much better view from above!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Masai Mara/Lake Nakuru National Park
Depart for Nakuru, with a stop for lunch at the G Adventures supported Ubuntu Cafe. Embark on a safari within Lake Nakuru National Park (in the Lando), in search of the resident black rhino, buffalo, impala, and the elusive leopard.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Lake Nakuru National Park/Eldoret
Enjoy another safari drive in the Lando, before heading off to Eldoret.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Eldoret/Kampala
Cross the border into Uganda, then camp outside of the country's capital.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Kampala/Lake Bunyonyi
Get comfortable, as we cross the equator and head off to Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Gorilla Trek
Enjoy a guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on the date of our permits, it's possible that the gorilla trek will take place on the second full day in Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9: Lake Bunyonyi
Enjoy free time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Lake Bunyonyi.
Meals: B, D
Day 10: Lake Bunyonyi/Kalinzu Forest Reserve
Watch the Ugandan countryside pass by on the day's journey.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Kalinzu Forest Reserve/Lake Mburo National Park
Get up early for an included chimpanzee tracking excursion, then visit a tea plantation before setting off for Lake Mburo. Opt for an afternoon boat cruise on the lake, or explore the local area on foot.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Lake Mburo National Park/Jinja
Head back across the equator and enjoy a meal at the G Adventures supported AidChild Equation Cafe. Continue on to Jinja, Uganda's adventure capital.
Meals: B, L
Day 13: Jinja
Pre-book your rafting adrenaline rush on the checkout page to include the Jinja River Rafting optional activity on your tour or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.
Explore Jinja, known for its outdoor and adventure activities. Opt to raft down the White Nile River, mountain bike up and down the hills or check out the local market.
Day 14: Jinja/Eldoret
Cross over into Kenya for a night in Eldoret. This is an overnight stop in between two long driving days.
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Eldoret/Nairobi
Sit back and enjoy the ride on a transfer through the Kenyan countryside to Nairobi.
Meals: B
Day 16: Nairobi/Arusha
Travel south and cross the border into Tanzania.
Meals: B
Day 17: Arusha/Serengeti National Park
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive en route to the central Serengeti. Spend the night at a basic bush camp and enjoy the starry African skies. The Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater portion of the trip will make use of specialized 4x4 7-seater safari vehicles, with experienced safari driver/guides, who will ensure wonderful wildlife encounters. The safari vehicles each have sliding windows and a large pop-up roof, perfect for viewing animals and scenery. The group will split up among several vehicles and your CEO will spend time in each vehicle over the next three days.

End place: Serengeti National Park

Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Serengeti National Park/Ngorongoro

Start place: Serengeti National Park

Before leaving the Serengeti, enjoy a morning safari drive to see the animal kingdom come to life in this incredible expanse of grassland savannah. Then return and break camp, and journey to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, famous for Africa's best wildlife viewing. The views from the Ngorongoro Crater rim are stunning, and there is an ever-present abundance of wildlife, due to the permanent water supply on the crater floor. Arrive at the campsite at the crater rim in the late afternoon.
Set off on a wildlife safari drive on the way out of the Serengeti. Camp on the Ngorongoro Crater's rim. Please note: if you have pre-booked the Serengeti Balloon Safari, today's the day for this activity! The CEO will give the final confirmation, as it is subject to change. You will miss the included morning wildlife safari drive with the group, but you will have a much better view from above! If you have not yet pre-booked, add it to your checkout page, or ask your GCO or travel agent for assistance.

Please note that due to the high-altitude location of our camp, temperatures can drop at night. We recommend bringing extra layers to wear during the evening and following morning.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 19: Ngorongoro/Arusha
Venture down to the crater floor, and take in a final safari experience viewing the high concentration of wildlife bound by the crater walls. On the way back to Arusha, stop at Mto wa Mbu village to visit the G for Good project, including a guided cultural walk and traditional lunch with a local family.
Meals: B, L
Day 20: Arusha/Dar es Salaam
Leave Arusha early and be on the lookout for the majestic Mt Kilimanjaro, on the road towards Dar es Salaam. The city started as a fishing village in the mid-19th century before becoming a port and trading centre.

Want to cut travel time in half and spend more time in Stone Town? Pre-book the Zanzibar Express on the checkout page to include this optional activity on your tour.
Hit the road, and enjoy the varied landscapes on the way to the Indian Ocean coast. Zanzibar Express; transfer this morning from your Arusha hotel to the airport for a scenic flight to Zanzibar. Arrive in Stone Town and spend the afternoon exploring on your own. Enjoy an extra night in Stone Town and meet back up with the group the following day. Only breakfast included.
Meals: B, D
Day 21: Dar es Salaam/Stone Town
Catch the ferry to Zanzibar. Enjoy an orientation walk with your CEO in historic Stone Town, and opt to continue on for a longer walking tour, or explore on your own. Zanzibar is a Muslim society. Immodestly dressed women or men in shorts will get harassed and cause great offence in Stone Town. On the beach, customs are a little more relaxed, but travellers are encouraged to be respectful of the island's culture and cover up when walking around. Never try to take a photograph without asking permission.
Meals: B
Day 22: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Transfer to the white-sand beaches and turquoise waters of Zanzibar's beautiful coast.
Meals: B
Day 23: Zanzibar Beach Resort
Enjoy free time to lounge on the beach, snorkel, or tour the island.
Meals: B
Day 24: Stone Town
Morning group transfer to Stone Town. Tour ends in the late morning.
Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Café Ubuntu , Maai Mahiu Your G for Good Moment: AidChild Equation Cafe & Gallery, Kayabwe Your G for Good Moment: Mto wa Mbu Village Visit and Lunch, Mto wa Mbu Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group, Nairobi Your Discover Moment: Jinja
  • Wildlife safari drives in Masai Mara National Reserve
  • Safari in Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Guided mountain gorilla trek in Bwindi with permits
  • Entrance and chimpanzee tracking in Kalinzu Forest Reserve
  • Tea plantation visit
  • Transfer from Jinja to Nairobi
  • Entrances and wildlife safari drives in Serengeti National Park and in Ngorongoro Crater
  • Ferry to Zanzibar
  • Stone Town orientation walk
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    7-seat 4x4 safari van, Lando (overland adventure vehicle), 4x4 safari vehicles, Minibus, Walking, Shared shuttle, Private shuttle, Tuk-tuk, Ferry

  • Accommodation

    Basic hotel (3 nt), Permanent tented camp (2 nts), Participation camping (11 nts), Full-service camping (2 nts), Multishare/hostels (5 nts)

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